13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;     yet after them people approve of their boasts.[b] Selah 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;     death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.     Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. 15 But God …

Continue reading Provocative Devotion: Psalm 49:13-15 “Rescued by God”

We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,     in the midst of your temple. What do you think of when you think of going to church? I hesitate to use the phrase, "going to church" because there is a very real sense in which we do not go to church but rather followers of …

Continue reading Provocative Devotion: Psalm 48:9 “Pondering the Love of God”

Last night I watched the Pittsburgh Steelers win a football game on the last play of the game as time expired. It wasn't a playoff game and certainly was not the Super Bowl. It was just a regular season game. But I still clapped and cheered loudly enough and with enough enthusiasm that I woke …

Continue reading Provocative Devotion: Psalm 47 “Enthusiasm in Worship”

We are a people consumed by the need to feel secure. We want to have a secure financial future. We want our children to be secure in school and their car seat and on their bicycles. We have color coded security levels at airports and train stations. We have metal detectors going up all over …

Continue reading Provocative Devotion: Psalm 46:1-7 “Finding Security in God”

Love is clearly a major theme in the Bible. From cover to cover it speaks of God's love for humanity. Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is the two-pronged exhortation to love God with all we are and to love our neighbor as ourselves. But for all the discussion about love in the Bible …

Continue reading Provocative Devotion: Psalm 45 “A Love Song”

History is not the favorite subject for most people. They think of history class and all that comes to mind is trying to memorize dates, names, and places from the past that seem to have little or no relevance to life in the present. I am not one of those people. I love history. I …

Continue reading Provocative Devotion: Psalm 44:1-8 “History is His Story”

3 Send out your light and your truth;     let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill     and to your dwelling! 4 Then I will go to the altar of God,     to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre,     O God, my God. "That may be true for you …

Continue reading Provocative Devotion: Psalm 43:3-4 “Truth Still Matters”

Usually when we say someone is obsessed it is not a compliment. We generally mean to imply that the obsessed person is out of balance, a bit off their rocker, myopic, even mentally unhinged. We think they need to back off a tad and get a life. They are missing so much by being obsessed …

Continue reading Provocative Devotion: Psalm 42:1-2 “A Healthy Obsession”

The Bible says that you reap what you sow. Put another way, what goes around comes around. In other words, your actions have consequences and if your actions are good and helpful and just, then eventually goodness, help, and justice will come your way. If your actions are cruel and deceitful and wicked, then eventually …

Continue reading Provocative Devotion: Psalm 41:1-3 “What Goes Around, Comes Around”

Bashing religion has become something a the intellectual sport du jour. If you want to make a splash then write a book about the death of God ro the evils of religion. Even among evangelical Christians religion bashing, and bashing the church along with it, has grown in popularity to immense proportions. People think it …

Continue reading Provocative Devotion: Psalm 40 “God Does Not Want Your Religion”

Average life expectancy continues to climb thanks to the advances in medicine, hygiene, nutrition, and improved working conditions. Yet life is still relatively short compared to eternity. David writes this Psalm asking God to make him aware of the fleeting nature of life in order to be focused and make the most out of every …

Continue reading Provocative Devotion: Psalm 39:1-7 “Life is Short, Make the Best of It”